IE University Among Top Global Universities for Entrepreneurship in the 2026 PitchBook University Rankings

IE University has been recognized among the top global universities for entrepreneurship in the 2026 PitchBook University Rankings, placing third in Europe and 14^th worldwide in the MBA category and ninth in the graduate category. The renowned global report compares universities around the world by tallying the number of alumni entrepreneurs who have raised venture capital over the last decade. The ranking is powered by PitchBook data and based on an analysis of more than 222,000 VC-backed founders.

In the MBA category, IE Business School ranks 3rd in Europe and 14^th globally, with 388 founders and 343 companies founded by IE MBA alumni, who have collectively raised $7.2 billion. Founders who graduated from IE University's postgraduate programs have raised $11.7 billion since 2015 – an average of $1.01 billion a year, equivalent to the entire venture capital investment received by countries such as Norway or Poland in 2025. 

"Entrepreneurship at IE University is about developing a mindset that enables people to identify opportunities, act on ideas, and navigate uncertainty. The success of our alumni founders, reflected in the latest PitchBook ranking, shows what can happen when that entrepreneurial mindset is supported by the vibrant and global community at IE. The continued growth of these ventures demonstrates the long-term impact of an entrepreneurial education," said Juan José Güemes, Vice President of IE University and Chairman of the IE Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center.  

IE University, an institution founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, offers students a variety of opportunities to develop their start-up ideas and explore the process of innovation. As a result, 30% of IE University graduates decide to become entrepreneurs during their professional careers. Through the IE Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, students work with mentors, investors, and a global community of entrepreneurs. This year, more than 700 students are participating in Venture Lab, IE University's accelerator, developing their ideas into solid and scalable business projects with direct access to leading figures in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Venture Lab culminates in IE University’s annual Venture Day, which brings together students and alumni from its Bachelor’s and Master’s programs and has become one of Europe’s most influential Demo Days.

IE University also organizes International Venture Days, a global series of events connecting entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world and creating opportunities for startups and investors to do business. More than 30 editions have been held in over 25 countries, bringing together more than 550 finalist startups and 450 investors. In 2026, International Venture Days have taken place in New York, Rabat, Warsaw, and Mexico City, with upcoming editions planned in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Tokyo, Lima, and Singapore in 2027.